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Year: 2016

‘A War’ examines the ‘rules’ of combat

‘A War’ examines the ‘rules’ of combat

“A War” (“Krigen”) (2015). Cast: Pilou Asbæk, Tuva Novatny, Dar Salim, Søren Malling, Dulfi Al-Jabouri, Charlotte Munck, Alex Høgh Andersen, Cecilie Elise Sondergaard, Adam Chessa, Andreas Buch Bogwardt, Martin Tamm Andersen. Director: Tobias Lindholm. Screenplay: Tobias Lindholm. Web site. Trailer. Can we realistically say that there are rules to be followed during wartime? If so, what would be considered acceptable and unacceptable? And how does one address these questions if an issue should arise? Those are among the thorny subjects raised in the new Danish drama, “A War” (“Krigen”). Danish peacekeeping commander Claus Pedersen (Pilou Asbæk, right) confers with colleague and long-time friend Najib Bisma (Dar Salim, left) about how to handle his duties in Afghanistan in the Oscar-nominated drama, “A War.” Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. When a Danish peacekeeping unit assigned to Afghanistan comes under fire and becomes trapped, Commander Claus Pedersen (Pilou Asbæk) must make some hasty decisions to save the lives of his men, particularly that of a soldier seriously wounded in the firefight (Dulfi Al-Jabouri). But, in the wake of that incident, questions arise about the propriety of those decisions, specifically whether Claus had adequate confirmation of who was responsible for the attack and how ...

‘Eddie the Eagle’ inspires us to soar

“Eddie the Eagle” (2016). Cast: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Jim Broadbent, Christopher Walken, Jo Hartley, Keith Allen, Iris Berben, Tim McInnerny, Mark Benton, Edvin Endre, Rune Temte, Tom Costello Jr., Jack Costello. Director: Dexter Fletcher. Screenplay: Sean Macauley and Simon Kelton. Story: Simon Kelton. Web site. Trailer. What are the chances that a geeky, somewhat-uncoordinated wannabe athlete is able to overcome his challenges and become an Olympic competitor? Most would probably say not very likely. But, as in any audacious undertaking, that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Just ask the infectiously enthusiastic British ski jumper whose inspiring life story is the subject of the new, uplifting, fact-based feel-good movie, “Eddie the Eagle.” Ever since Eddie Edwards was a child (Tom Costello Jr.), he desperately wanted to be an Olympic athlete, despite health challenges and the nonstop criticism of naysayers, including his own father (Keith Allen). But Eddie was not deterred by these obstacles; he was determined to see his dream realized, especially when his health improved as a teen (Jack Costello). He tried his hand at many sports, though not with much success, prompting even more ridicule from virtually everyone except his mother (Jo Hartley). He seemed reconciled to spend ...
This Week in Movies with Meaning

This Week in Movies with Meaning

Reviews of “Eddie the Eagle” and “Kabbalah Me” and a second look at “Tomorrowland” are all now available in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the web site of The Good Radio Network by clicking here. Photo by Larry Horricks, courtesy © Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation ...
‘Where to Invade Next’ reveals how to fix a broken system

‘Where to Invade Next’ reveals how to fix a broken system

“Where to Invade Next” (2015). Cast: Michael Moore. Director: Michael Moore. Web site. Trailer. America likes to think of itself as the birthplace of all great ideas. But, considering the current state of the nation and its various institutions, the country can use all the help it can get. So what is the U.S. to do? What sources of ingenuity should it tap to rejuvenate itself? And are those aims realistic? Those questions are among those that controversial filmmaker Michael Moore has attempted to tackle in his new and perhaps most ambitious effort, “Where to Invade Next.” In the spirit of how the U.S. typically goes after what it needs these days, Moore took it upon himself to lead his army of one and “invade” a number of countries that have employed good ideas in their societies, all with the intent of stealing those notions and bringing them back home to the Land of the Free. The results of those efforts are now chronicled in the director’s latest documentary. Over the course of the film, Moore travels to nine countries, mostly in Europe, to look at various institutions and to see how those nations handle them. Specifically, he visits the ...
Reviews, the Power of Choice and More on Movies with Meaning

Reviews, the Power of Choice and More on Movies with Meaning

Reviews of “A War” and “Meru,” Movies and the Power of Choice, and an Oscar report card are now all available in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the web site of The Good Radio Network, available by clicking here. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. Photo by Renan Ozturk, courtesy of Music Box Films ...
'Movies and the Power of Choice' now available in NCR magazine

‘Movies and the Power of Choice’ now available in NCR magazine

Check out my latest article in New Consciousness Review magazine, “Movies and the Power of Choice,” available by clicking here ...
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